ALOPECIA AREATA

 

Hello world, get inspired by the interaction between an Alopecia Areata survivor and I.

Enjoy!

Dynamic Hajia: Introduce yourself to the world ma

Eimee: My name is Emediong Caleb, people call me Eimee for short.

I'm a poet, Baker, enterpreneur, tech-enthusiast and pharmacist-in-training from Southern Nigeria.

Dynamic Hajia: You once suffered from an autoimmune disorder called Alopecia Areata, can you elaborate its meaning please?

Eimee: Thank you, Alopecia Areata is a medical term. 

It's a condition in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body. Most cases it's the hair on the head that's gone.

Let's leave big grammar, now picture a human's head with rat-chopped irregular bald spot (patches) all over(that's the case most often). 

It's a terrible condition, that can't be cured though treatment can help.

Dynamic Hajia: What challenges did the disorder bring to you and how did you manage them?

Eimee:Good question. 

First, I lost my self esteem, tears became my food day and night, because the pains and humiliation were too much for me.

Imagine going to a mixed boarding school, then as you pass a group of students, with such ugly patches on your head, the giggles and talks will  weigh you down.

I was mostly alone, not that I chose to, but due to the scary sight of my head, lot of people thought it's communicable and even had the boldness to ask. 

Some ran from me, thinking I was a witch and the back to sender effect was taking its toll on me, some said it's mysterious and the likes.

I vividly recall when I was to go for a competition I prepped earnestly for before this happened, did I give up?

Note that no head warmer was there, I cried, read, braced myself and our team went. 

Reaching the venue, the lady in charge so screameeeedd and students from pub/private sec schools were present with their fine hairs.

 What was mine? But I was smiling not crying. Only me knows why I did that.     Well I don't blame her, the sight could freak the life out of you.

The drama was not small, again, all *eyes* were on me. I was embarrassed and made a silent prayer that this competition must end in praise ooh. 

I cannot suffer failure plus humiliation join. No one even dared to come close to me. 

Same thing happened at an international conference at Abuja that year.

Worst of all was when a group of med students  andtheir Prof. used me to do live practical and explanation. I wept.

There was no simpler way to manage the situation than to accept, encourage and love myself in that condition where I had no body.I was always smiling anytime I'm out there. Only me knows why I did that.

Dynamic Hajia: You battled with it and over came, how did this happen?

Eimee: It wasn't by my power, All glory to God Almighty who helped my heart and faith to be strong.

At that competition ground, I silently prayed that I must excel, cos I can't afford to suffer humiliation plus failure.

And guess what? teenage girl came first in the state.

There was just this boldness in me that no matter what I'm going through, no excuses not to do the normal things I do. 

Day came to be awarded

The crowd was massive 😭😭😭😭😭. I started weeping profusely, how would I pass such a crowd to get my award?

But that was my effort right? So I smiled, braced up again, ignored the side comments and got my property.

 Lest I forget my Hospital 'Waka'. All the dermatologist knew me. 

Everything was okay within me, the big Grammar was not helping, I rubbed, swallowed, took injec. Wetin I no do?

 I was tired, They got tired and finally asked me to *find my God*. 

But before they gave up, they suggested hair transplant for me.

 We are hairy at home and my family thought of it, but I said; 'NO I WONT!' let me see if this God I serve will cast me. 

I never went again and I was tired and fed up with prayers. I was just there,  'let the worst happen'

Few people encouraged me, I felt the world was closing up on me, but GOD made my faith strong.

Dynamic Hajia: What lessons did that phase of your life teach you?

Eimee: 'BUT ONE DAY' you reading this tell your self "one day" (you know the prayer to put)

How the hair which mysteriously disappeared and defied expert medical treatment started growing back. 

It was grey initally, then started obeying God's words to be back in full form. 

I was in cloud nine. I still recall my mates voice " Caleb, your hair is growing" so what did I learn from this terrible experience???

You may be like, "what type of yeye reason but chill."

1. I learnt never to give excuses no matter what, back then, I normally go for competitions even before I had that condition. 

Now time came I was to go again, hair loss showed up, but I didn't back off. I didn't use hair loss as a reason to stay back from making my school proud and self and guess what? I won.

2. God was teaching me patience in the hard way. 

People that  work with me, notice my positivity in all things. When I ask how come I'm this crazily optimistic; that backs it up.

3. Also God was trying to show me at that young age, that there's more to this life and it will definitely be tough, so once it happens I should remember the personal miracle, remind him too and wait for him.♥️

Dynamic Hajia: Your word of advice to people encountering certain dysfunctions in their body system or their lives.

Eimee: God is saying #dontleaveme ,

I'm not done with you yet.

 If you know God, know him for your self, so no one will drift you.

 Every problem has an expiry date, don't beat yourself, 'don't compare' you're annoying HIM instead. Rather, pray, live your normal life and remind him what he did before.

 If he did it for me; you're not an exception.♥️ Hope you're blessed.

Well I'm sure someone here needs inspiration. That happened to me and I got healed so I can *boldly* come here to inspire you ,testify and tell you that there's hope no matter your situation.

Let no one weigh your faith down, they won't be with you if it didn't work out, you will be at the losing end.

Don't fret. It will end in praise♥️. He restored and gave me perfect additions, you too will testify.

To you that knows someone in pain, don't leave the person, you may be saving him/her from depression and suicide. 

Stay through *till* when that person is out of that situation.

Dynamic Hajia: Wow! You're indeed a typical description of 'God's work', we hope this little conversation yields positivity in the lives of many.

We feel greatly honoured to feature you on our blogsite. We wish you the very best in life.

Thanks and GOD bless you ma.

You can contact Eimee via jeiseycalsey@gmail.com

Dynamic Hajia can be contacted through:

 dynamichajia@gmail.com

WhatsApp @ 09069296704

Facebook @ Khaddie Sunmola

Twitter @ DynamicHajia

Instagram @ dynamic hajia